Asteroid 2024 PT5 to Become a "Mini-Moon" for Two Months, Researchers Claim

Strategic Insights -

According to a recent paper published in the journal Research Notes of the AAS, asteroid 2024 PT5 is expected to become a "mini-moon" for two months due to Earth's gravity. Discovered by researchers from Universidad Complutense de Madrid Ciudad Universitaria on 7 August, the 10-metre-long asteroid will loop around Earth from 29 September until 25 November, temporarily altering its path. While the asteroid's close proximity to Earth will cause its path to be affected, it will not be visible to the naked eye due to its dim magnitude of 22.

Key Takeaways:

  • Asteroid 2024 PT5 is a 10-metre-long asteroid discovered by researchers from Universidad Complutense de Madrid Ciudad Universitaria on 7 August.
  • The asteroid will loop around Earth from 29 September until 25 November, temporarily altering its path due to Earth's gravity.
  • The asteroid will not be visible to the naked eye due to its dim magnitude of 22.
  • The asteroid's path is predicted to be affected by Earth's gravity due to its close proximity to the planet.
  • The asteroid might be a part of the Arjunas group, a family of asteroids that are close to Earth.

Statistics:

  • The asteroid is approximately 10 metres long.
  • The asteroid will stay around Earth from 29 September until 25 November.
  • The asteroid's magnitude is 22, making it too dim to see with the naked eye.

Sources:

  • Research Notes of the AAS
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